Interlabial pad

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an interlabial pad which is used by being fitted between labia of a user for absorbing the menstrual blood, and provides an interlabial pad which can surely absorb even a high-speed, large-volume menstrual blood, flowing down the body along inner labial walls. An interlabial pad ( 14 ) is devised to provide an protruded area ( 14   b ) in a part of a flat area ( 14   a ), having an absorbing function, and the ratio of the protruded area ( 14   b ) and the flat area ( 14   a ) is controlled accurately.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a Continuation of International ApplicationNo. PCT/JP02/04883 filed May 21, 2002, which application published inJapanese on Nov. 28, 2002 as WO 02/094147 A1 under PCT Article 21(2).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an interlabial pad which isattached between the labia to absorb menstrual blood, and moreparticularly, to the structure of an interlabial pad which reliablyabsorbs menstrual blood which flows down along the inner walls of thelabia, rapidly and in a large quantity.

[0004] 2. Background Art

[0005] Conventionally, a sanitary napkin and a tampon are used generallyas female sanitary products. However, there have been problems that asfor the sanitary napkin used by bringing into contact with clothes, ittends to cause the leak of menstrual blood from the gap caused by pooradhesion near the ostium vaginae, while it tends to cause the foreignfeeling and the discomfort as for the tampon, on the basis of the natureof its products when wearing it, and it is difficult to fix into thevagina.

[0006] Under such situation, sanitary products of the interlabial padhave attracted people as a sanitary product positioned between thesanitary napkin and the tampon in recent years.

[0007] The interlabial pad is used by inserting its portion between thelabia and bringing into contact with the labia, having characteristicsthat it is difficult to cause the leak of menstrual blood because ofhigher adhesion to the body than that of the sanitary napkin andpsychological resistance to wearing is lower than that of the tamponwhich is inserted into the vagina.

[0008] An example of interlabial pads described above, the labialsanitary pad (Patent Laid-Open No. S61-149145), shown in FIG. 2, hasbeen proposed.

[0009] The interlabial pad 24 is used in the following state:

[0010] The anterior region of the pad 24 a is positioned to the front ofthe body and the posterior region of the pad 24 b is positioned to therear side of the body. Then, the posterior region of the pad 24 b isbent along the longitudinal proximal centerline to form a convexundulation which is inserted and supported between the labia by thepinching force of the labia themselves.

[0011] The interlabial pad 24 described above reliably absorbs menstrualblood which flows toward the front and rear of the body along the innerwalls of the labia or which flows toward the right and left sides of thebody along the skin.

[0012] However, the interlabial pad does not have effective performancefor absorption of menstrual blood which is excreted downward from insidethe labia. This is because when menstrual blood flows toward the frontand rear of the body along the inner walls of the labia or flows towardthe right and left sides of the body along the skin, the flow isrelatively slow because of the friction of the skin and the effect ofthe pubic hair, in addition, the quantity of flow is small. However,when menstrual blood is excreted downward from inside the labia, with amomentary change of the wearer's posture, menstrual blood accumulated inthe womb is excreted at once, flowing rapidly and in a large quantity.

[0013] Consequently, the interlabial pad described above is intended toabsorb menstrual blood flowing downward from inside the labia by onlythe convex part formed in the posterior region of the pad, which isparallel in the direction of the flow. Therefore, if menstrual bloodflows rapidly and in a large quantity, a part of the liquid can flowalong the incline of the convex part without being absorbed by the pad,which causes a possibility that menstrual blood may leak out of the pad.In this case, as the interlabial pad is smaller than sanitary napkins,the resulting leak of menstrual blood is a significant problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention has been developed in view of the problemspointed out above. The object of the present invention is to provide aninterlabial pad which reliably absorbs menstrual blood which flows downalong the inner walls of the labia, rapidly and in a large quantity.(Hereinafter, the “interlabial pad” may be referred to as “pad”.)

[0015] In order to solve the problems pointed out above, in theinterlabial pad according to the present invention, a part of the flatarea having absorptive capabilities is raised to form a protruded area.By configuring the ratio between the convex part and the flat areaprecisely, even when menstrual blood flows down along the incline of theconvex part without being absorbed, the liquid is absorbed in the flatarea, which will reduce the possibility that menstrual blood may leakout of the pad.

[0016] More specifically, the present invention provides the followings:

[0017] (1) An interlabial pad for attaching between labia, comprising: awater permeable surface side sheet facing a body side; a water permeableor water impermeable back side sheet facing a garment side; an absorbentbody for absorbing body liquid, the absorbent body being enclosed in thewater permeable surface side and the water permeable or waterimpermeable back side, which are bonded together; a flat area having asubstantial plane plate shape and a protruded area projecting verticallytowards a body side from said flat area along a substantial center linein a longitudinal direction of said flat area, wherein said flat areaand said protruded area satisfy Formulas (1) to (3) shown below.

1≦H ₁ /H ₂≦10   Formula (1)

⅓≦W ₁ /W ₂≦⅚  Formula (2)

⅓≦L ₁ /L ₂≦1   Formula (3)

[0018] (where, H₁: the apparent bulkiness of the protruded area, H₂: theapparent bulkiness of the flat area, W₁: the apparent maximum width ofthe protruded area, W₂: the apparent maximum width of the flat area, L₁:the apparent maximum length of the protruded area, and L₂: the apparentmaximum length of the flat area.)

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the interlabial pads of thepresent invention have convex parts 34 b and 44 b which protrudevertically from flat areas 34 a and 44 a toward the body alonglongitudinal proximal centerlines 36 and 46 of flat areas 34 a and 44 a(In other words, continuously in the lateral centers of the flat areas34 a and 44 a). When the convex parts 34 b and 44 b of the interlabialpads 34 and 44 are inserted between the labia, the whole pudenda arecovered with the flat areas 34 a and 44 a, which adjoin the lower endsof the protruded areas 34 b and 44 b, respectively. Thereby, theprotruded areas 34 b and 44 b, which are inserted between the labia,primarily absorb the majority of excreted body fluid such as menstrualblood. In addition, if the protruded areas 34 b and 44 b cannot absorball the liquid, the flat areas 34 a and 44 a covering the pudenda cansecondarily absorb the remainder. Thus, menstrual blood, which flowsdown along the inner walls of the labia, rapidly and in a large quantitycan be absorbed by the protruded areas 34 b and 44 b in combination withthe flat areas 34 a and 44 a.

[0020] The interlabial pad of the present invention must be comprised ofthe flat area and the protruded area as described above, and both theflat and protruded areas must satisfy the requirements below. This isbecause, if an interlabial pad is comprised of a flat area and aprotruded area but the shapes of the areas are not precisely configured,leak of menstrual blood may occur due to gaps between the interlabialpad and the body, the interlabial pad may fall from between the labia oran absorptive capacity of the absorbent body in the interlabial pad isinsufficient. In addition, if the shapes of these areas are notconfigured precisely, as is the case with tampons, the wearers may sensea foreign feeling or discomfort, which makes it difficult to wear thepad in the vagina.

[0021] More precisely, first, the following Formula (1) must besatisfied.

1≦H ₁ /H ₂≦10   Formula (1)

[0022] (where, H₁: the apparent bulkiness of the protruded area, H₂: theapparent bulkiness of the flat area)

[0023] If the ratio of the apparent bulkiness H₁/H₂ is less than 1, therigidity of the flat area, which covers the pudenda, is so high that thewearers may sense a foreign feeling or discomfort in wearing the pad. Onthe other hand, if the ratio of the apparent bulkiness H₁/H₂ is morethan 10, the volume of the flat area to absorb menstrual blood whichcannot be completely absorbed in the protruded area is so low that leakof menstrual blood may occur.

[0024] Second, the following Formula (2) must be satisfied.

⅓≦W ₁ /W ₂≦⅚  Formula (2)

[0025] (where W₁: the apparent maximum width of the protruded area, W₂:the apparent maximum width of the flat area)

[0026] If the ratio of the apparent maximum width W₁/W₂ is less than ⅓,the flat area is larger than required. This may cause the wearer tosense a foreign feeling or discomfort in wearing the pad. In addition,the wearer's femoral region (inside of the thighs) and the sides of theinterlabial pad or the side of the interlabial pad facing the clothingand the underwear may come into contact with each other. If the frictioncaused by the contact 2 increases, there is a possibility that the padmay fall from between the labia. On the other hand, if the ratio of theapparent maximum width W₁/W₂ is more than ⅚, the flat area is too narrowto cover all of the pudenda in lateral directions. Therefore, the areato absorb menstrual blood which cannot be completely absorbed in theprotruded area is so small that leak of menstrual blood may occur.

[0027] Third, the following Formula (3) must be satisfied

⅓≦L ₁ /L ₂≦1   Formula (3)

[0028] (where L₁: the apparent maximum length of the protruded area, L₂:the apparent maximum length of the flat area)

[0029] If the ratio of the apparent maximum length L₁/L₂ is less than ⅓,because not only is the area where the side of the pad facing theclothing and the underwear are in contact with each other longer thanrequired but also the area where the posterior region of the flat areaand the buttocks are in contact with each other is increased, thepossibility that the pad may fall from between the labia will beincreased. On the other hand, if the ratio of the apparent maximumlength L₁/L₂ is more than 1, the flat area is too short to cover all ofthe pudenda in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, if menstrual bloodis excreted rapidly and in a large quantity, the flat area cannot absorball of the menstrual blood which cannot be completely absorbed in theprotruded area, consequently, the possibility of leak of menstrual bloodwill be increased.

[0030] L₁/L₂ of the interlabial pad 44 shown in FIG. 3(b) isapproximately 0.5. This pad has an absorptive capability higher than theinterlabial pad 34 shown in (a) in FIG. 3(a), which has L₁/L₂ ofapproximately 1, and is suitable for use when menstrual blood isdischarged in a large quantity or when the pad cannot often be changed.

[0031] In this specification, “bulkiness” refers to the dimensionmeasured in the direction of the projecting protruded area, “width”refers to the dimension measured in the lateral direction of the pad and“length” refers to the dimension measured in the longitudinal directionof the pad.

[0032] Also, in this specification, “appearance” means that “bulkiness”,“width” and “length” are the shortest distances measured point-to-point.This is particularly defined because distances measured around theundulated surface (in other words, the point-to-point distances measuredwith the undulations being laid out flat) are sometimes regarded asactual “width” or other dimensions in relation to manufacturing process.

[0033] For example, in the case of the interlabial pad 81 shown in FIG.12, “actual measured width” A of the protruded area 81 b is the distancemeasured around the undulated surface of the protruded area 81 b and“actual measured width” B of the protruded area 81 b is the totaldistance measured around the undulated surface of the protruded area 81b and the flat area 81 a. On the other hand, the apparent width W₁ isthe shortest point-to-point distance between both ends of the protrudedarea 81 b and the apparent width W₂ is the shortest point-to-pointdistance between both ends of the flat area 81 a. The same thing can besaid with bulkiness and length.

[0034] (2) The interlabial pad according to (1), wherein H₁ in saidFormula (1) is 5 to 30 mm, W₁ in said Formula (2) is 2 to 30 mm, L₁ insaid Formula (3) is 20 to 150 mm.

[0035] H₁ in the above Formula (1) is preferable to be 5 to 30 mm, andmore preferable to be 10 to 25 mm. If H₁ is smaller than this range, thecontact area between the inner walls of the labia and the protruded areais reduced, resulting in the possibility that the pad may fall frombetween the labia. On the other hand, if H₁ is larger than this range,the bulkiness is too high for the depth of the labia, resulting in thepossibility of leak of menstrual blood caused by gaps between thesurface of the flat area and the pudenda.

[0036] W₁ in the above Formula (2) is preferable to be 2 to 30 mm, andmore preferable to be 5 to 20 mm. If W₁ is smaller than this range, theprotruded area cannot have enough contact area or volume to be heldbetween the labia, resulting in the possibility that the pad may fallfrom between the labia. On the other hand, if W₁ is larger than thisrange, the rigidity of the protruded area is so high that it isdifficult to insert the pad easily between the labia or that the wearermay sense a foreign feeling or discomfort in wearing the pad.

[0037] L₁ in the above Formula (3) is preferable to be 20 to 150 mm,more preferable to be 30 to 110 mm, and particularly preferable to be 50to 100 mm. If L₁ is smaller than this range, the contact area or volumethe protruded area is not sufficient to be held between the labia,resulting in the possibility that the pad may fall from between thelabia. On the other hand, if L₁ is larger than this range, the rigidityof the protruded area is so high that it is difficult to insert the padeasily between the labia or that the wearer may sense a foreign feelingor discomfort in wearing the pad.

[0038] (3) The interlabial pad according to (1) or (2), wherein a firstabsorbent body is folded in a mountain fold and enclosed in saidprotruded area towards the body side, a hollow part is provided on thegarment side of said protruded area.

[0039] “In a mountain fold” of the present invention does not mean thata protruded area 54 b is completely filled up with an absorbent body 53as shown in FIG. 4(a), but means that a hollow space 57 is formed insidethe side of the protruded area 54 b facing the clothing (that is, thelower part of the convex) as shown in FIG. 4(b). This is not limited tofolding an absorbent body 53 b to form a ridge as shown in FIG. 4(c),but includes various shapes made by forming the absorbent body 53 tohave a hollow space 57 formed inside the side of the protruded area 54 bfacing the clothing (that is, the lower part of the convex), such as aninverted U or V-shape, as shown in FIG. 4(b). The hollow space allowsthe pad to change in form to follow the change in form of the labia,which makes the pad flexible and prevents the foreign feeling ordiscomfort in wearing the pad.

[0040] (4) The interlabial pad according to (3), wherein a waterpermeable inner sheet is provided on the garment side surface of saidfirst absorbent body formed in a folded shape, and said inner sheet andsaid surface side sheet are bonded so as to enclose said first absorbentbody therebetween.

[0041] The hollow part in the protruded area, in addition to beingeffective for improving the fitting performance of the pad as describedabove, can also be used as a space for inserting and holding a fingerwhen wearing the pad (a space for finger insertion).

[0042] In this case, as shown in FIG. 4(c), when a water permeable innersheet 58 is arranged on a surface of the garment side of the firstabsorbent body 53 b, it is sanitarily preferable since the finger andthe fabric of the absorbent body do not touch each other, and further,there is an advantage such that when the finger is inserted whilefeeling the inner sheet 58 with the finger pad, the wearing point of thepad can easily be detected.

[0043] In addition, since the flat area 54 a is scarcely buried betweenlabia when wearing the pad, it is made easy to insert only the protrudedarea 54 b of the pad. That is, since inserting the protruded area 54 bbetween labia into a correct position can be done by the will of thewearer, menstrual blood leaks can surely be prevented, and further, thedanger of the pad slipping off the labia is decreased.

[0044] (5) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) through (4),wherein said first absorbent body enclosed in said protruded area and asecond absorbent body enclosed in said flat area are formed of a singleabsorbent body sheet.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, the first absorbent body (absorbent bodyenclosed in the protruded area) and the second absorbent body (absorbentbody enclosed in the flat area) may also be formed as a continuoussingle absorbent body 53 c. By making a structure like this, the firstand second absorbent bodies are not separated, so that no gap isgenerated between both, and the absorbed menstrual blood moves smoothlyfrom the first absorbent body to the second absorbent body. Accordingly,it is also possible to cope with a fast-moving, large-volume menstrualblood.

[0046] (6) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) through (5),comprising a second protruded area projecting vertically towards agarment side from said flat area along the substantial center line inthe longitudinal direction of said flat area.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, by providing a second protruded area 59 onthe garment side in addition to the body side of the flat area 54 a,capacity of the absorbent body can be increased substantially. As aresult, even a fast-moving, large-volume menstrual blood can be handled,and, even if the pad is used for a long time, danger of menstrual bloodleaks due to overflow is reduced. Further, since the second protrudedarea 59 protrudes to the garment side, the pad can be pinched withfingers when wearing, facilitating wearing the pad.

[0048] (7) The interlabial pad according to (6), wherein a thirdabsorbent body is folded and enclosed in said second protruded areatowards the garment side, a hollow part is provided in the body side ofsaid second protruded area.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, when a hollow part 61 is formed in the secondprotruded area 59, so that stiffness of an absorbent body 60 isdecreased for easy deformation even by a light load, the secondprotruded area 59 is flattened in the right-left direction of the bodyby a pressure from the garment-when wearing the pad. Accordingly, anadvantage is that presence of the pad cannot easily be noticed (seen)from outside clothes. Also, since stiffness of the second protruded area59 is low, friction drag with the garment is decreased as well as thedanger of the pad slipping off the labia is decreased.

[0050] (8) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) through (7),wherein at least fibers for forming said water permeable surface sidesheet in said protruded area and that of said first absorbent body areoriented in a lateral direction of said interlabial pad.

[0051] By arranging fibers composing the surface side sheet and thefirst absorbent body in the width direction, the absorbed menstrualblood can easily move in the arrangement direction of the fiber layer,namely in the lateral direction of the body, and the menstrual blood caneasily be moved from the first absorbent body to the second absorbentbody. Additionally, as indicated by the expression “at least,” besidesthe surface side sheet and the first absorbent body, the arrangement offibers composing other members (such as the second absorbent body, thethird absorbent body, the inner sheet and the like) in the widthdirection of the pad are also included in the scope of the presentinvention.

[0052] (9) The interlabial pad according to any one from (1) to (8),wherein an adhesion part is provided on the body side surface of saidflat area.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b), by forming an adhesive portion62 in the surface side sheet 51 like this, the pad can be adheredbetween labia or to the pudenda more firmly, and generation of a gapbetween the pad and the body, even by a sudden change in posture of thewearer, can be prevented. Accordingly, the wearer can act freely,without having any restrictions on her actions.

[0054] The “adhesive part” can be formed by applying the adhesive to thesurface side sheet. The adhesive agent available for the presentinvention may be exemplified by a gel adhesive made of water-solublepolymer, crosslinking agent, plasticizer and moisture. Morespecifically, examples of the water soluble polymer used herein aregelatin, sodium polyacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, and carboxymethylcellulose. Examples of the crosslinking agent are water-soluble metallicsalt such as calcium chloride and magnesium sulfate and examples of theplasticizer are glycerol, wax, and paraffin.

[0055] As other adhesive agent, a pressure sensitive hot melt adhesivecan be also used. The pressure sensitive hot melt is mainly formed ofsynthetic rubber resin such as styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer(SIS), styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS),styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), andstyrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS). The pressuresensitive hot melt adhesive can be obtained by fusing and mixing anadhesion additive such as terpene resin or rosin resin and a plasticizersuch as wax to the pressure sensitive hot melt.

[0056] Also, a silicone adhesive agent can be used as other adhesive. Anexample of the silicone adhesive is a mixture obtained by mixing acrosslinking agent such as metallic salt of platinum, molybdenum, orantimony and a plasticizer such as ester wax, glycerin, or machine oil.

[0057] Like this, there are many kinds of adhesive agents for formingthe adhesive part, but if the application stability is taken intoconsideration, the pressure sensitive hot melt is preferable. Morespecifically, it is an adhesive agent prepared by fusing and mixing 15to 25 weight % of SEBS, 15 to 35 weight % of plasticizer, and 40 to 70weight % of adhesive adder. Also, according to circumstances, it ispossible to add antioxidant, antifluorescent or the like within therange of 0.1 to 1.0 weight % to the pressure sensitive hot melt.

[0058] (10) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) through (9),wherein the interlabial pad is used together with a sanitary napkin.

[0059] There are some sanitary napkin (henceforth referred to simply as“napkin”) users who use several pieces of napkins layered together whenthere is a large quantity of menstrual blood. However, there causeproblems that they cause uncomfortable feeling such as stiffness, andtheir presence is noticeable from the outside of the garment. Further,layered napkins cover portions other than the neighborhood of ostiumvaginae where the layered use is unnecessary cause a rash or a sweat.However, using a pad and a napkin, the sanitary products are layeredonly on the labia and its periphery so that above-mentioned problems canbe avoided. Furthermore, it is possible to change only the pad accordingto the present invention without changing the napkin. Therefore, thereis no need for the wearer to carry around the sanitary napkins which arelarge enough to be noticed. The sanitary napkins herein are not only thenapkins which are sold for absorbing menstrual blood but may alsoinclude absorption sheets for vaginal discharge.

[0060] (11) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) through(10), wherein: on the garment side of said back side sheet, a mini sheetpiece is provided bonding one or more bonding areas in each side in thelongitudinal direction of said back side sheet and one or more unbendingareas in the lateral direction of said back side sheet; and at least oneof said one or two unbonding areas, between said mini sheet piece andsaid back side sheet, forms a finger insertion opening which candirectly secure a fingerbreadth opening in the surface direction of saidback side sheet.

[0061] In FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), in a lateral direction of the back faceside sheet 52, at least one of both sleeve portions of the mini sheetpiece 64 is not bonded with the back face side sheet 52 surface. Therebythe opening is formed between one sleeve side of the mini sheet piece 64which is in a non-bonding condition and the back face side sheet 52 toform the finger insertion opening 53 which is capable of inserting thefinger.

[0062] In a longitudinal direction of the back face side sheet 52, themini sheet piece 64 is connected with only both lateral sides of theback face side sheet 52 and is not bonded to (adhered) the insidethereof. Therefore, the mini sheet piece 64 is provided from one lateralside of the back face side sheet 52 to the other lateral side thereof ina state of extending over. Therefore, at such a portion such extendingover from one lateral side to the other, penetrating or non-penetratingspace (space for inserting the finger) is formed. Such space can beinserted with the finger to keep it therein.

[0063] The word “finger breadth” in this specification does not mean thethickness of the finger but specifically means the width direction ofthe finger in the spread direction of the nail. The opening of thefinger breadth means a sufficient size to insert the finger.

[0064] The opening of the finger breadth is directly kept in a directionof the back face side sheet surface. This means that when the finger isinserted into the pad normally to wear the pad, (the ball of a finger isdirected to the garment face side of the back face side sheet and isinserted to maintain the condition), the pad of itself is formed to beadequate for inserting the finger primarily. Therefore, the followingcase is except from above described example, such that the opening forthe finger breadth is kept in a surface direction by rotating the fingerafter the person inserts the finger and the opening for the fingerbreadth is formed on the back face side sheet surface side secondarily.

[0065] As described hereinbefore, in the pad provided with the minisheet piece, the finger is inserted into the opening through, therebythe pad can be kept and fixed at the finger for the time being. In thiscase, the finger insertion opening is formed to be the opening for thefinger breadth, and the flat-shaped finger tip is prevented fromdirecting to the different direction in respect of the back face sidesheet and is inserted to contact with the back face side sheet surfacenaturally. That is, since the finger insertion opening has a wide shapein a direction of the back face side sheet surface in accordance withthe shape of the finger tip of the person to wear, it is intended thatthe user acts to determine the direction to which the finger is insertedby detecting a fix point of the pad by the finger tip. Thereby forattaching the pad between labia where the person is difficult to confirmby eyes, the pad can be attached at the adequate position by correctlyholding a correct attachment point.

[0066] Further in the pad of the present invention, not only theperipheral edge portion of the pad but also the neighborhood of theperipheral edge portion to where the mini sheet piece can be connectedare included in the side portion in the longitudinal direction of theback face side sheet.

[0067] (12) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) through(11), wherein the interlabial pad is a pad for incontinence of urine.

[0068] According to the interlabial pad of the present invention, thepad can be used for a pad for absorbing incontinence of urine. That is,ostium vaginae where the menstrual blood is discharged and a urethralmeatus where urine is discharged locate between labia, and theinterlabial pad of the present invention to be used between labia canabsorb urine also.

[0069] As described hereinbefore, the pad of the present invention canabsorb urine around labia, especially around the urethral meatus and isuseful for the absorbing pad for incontinence, especially for a lightincontinence.

[0070] (13) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) through(11), wherein said interlabial pad is an interlabial pad for absorbingvaginal discharge.

[0071] In accordance with the present invention, the interlabial pad canbe used for the pad of absorbing the vaginal discharge. That is, theinterlabial pad is used between labia and can absorb the excretion otherthan the menstrual blood from ostium vaginae such as the vaginaldischarge.

[0072] As described above, the pad can absorb the vaginal discharge inorder to decrease the discomfort for the person, and is useful even forthe user who is not menstruating.

[0073] (14) A wrapping body, comprising: an interlabial pad according toany one of (1) through (13); and a wrapping container for individuallywrapping the interlabial pad wherein the interlabial pad is enclosed inthe wrapping container.

[0074] The interlabial pad is packaged individually and the pad can becarried one by one (every individual package). As compared with aplurality of pads enclosed in one wrapping container, the pad is keptsanitarily, can be easily carried and can be treated simply.

[0075] (15) A wrapping body comprising: an interlabial pad according toany one of (1) through (13); a wrapping container, having a break sealopening, for individually wrapping the interlabial pad, wherein theinterlabial pad is enclosed in the wrapping container; wherein saidinterlabial pad is wrapped in said wrapping container so that a fingerinsertion opening opens towards said opening part.

[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 13, “to provide the finger insertionopening toward the break seal opening of the wrapping body”, means thatwhen the wrapping body 92 is opened, the mini sheet piece 95 and furtherthe opening 96 for inserting the finger which is formed by the sheetpiece appear and the finger can be rapidly inserted into the opening 96.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the wrapping body 92 can beopened by opening the upper surface sheet 91 a of the wrapping container91 to the rear side of the drawing. The finger insertion opening 96appears at the opening of the wrapping body toward the break sealopening. Therefore the user can insert the finger rapidly into theopening 96.

[0077] In this case, for example, a structure that allows the wrappingbody 92 to be opened only in a certain direction, or, as shown in FIG.13, addition of a mark 97 showing the opening direction in the wrappingcontainer 91, is preferable. By applying a composition like this, sincethe opening direction and the direction of finger insertion are arrangedalong the same direction as well as the finger insertion port 96 isoriented to the wearer, the wearer can insert her finger into the fingerinsertion port 96 more smoothly.

[0078] (16) The wrapping body according to (15), wherein saidinterlabial pad is enclosed in said wrapping container so that said minisheet piece is folded towards the clothing direction along thesubstantial center line in the longitudinal direction of saidinterlabial pad.

[0079] The phrase “so that it is folded in a mountain fold toward thegarment side” includes not only cases where it is completely folded andthe fold is on the garment side, but also means cases as shown in FIG.14 where it is bended toward the garment side. By thus enclosing theinterlabial pad 104 in the wrapping container 101, the folded fingerinsertion opening 106 spontaneously opens upon opening of the wrappingcontainer 101, allowing the wearer to easily identify the place toinsert the finger, and makes application of the interlabial pad fasterand easier.

[0080] In this embodiment, provided that the mini-sheet piece is “foldedin a mountain fold”, it is not required for the entire interlabial padto be “folded in a mountain fold”. Therefore, for example, other thanthe wrapping body 102 enclosing the entire interlabial pad 104 as shownin FIG. 14, wherein said interlabial pad is folded “in a mountain” foldand enclosed inside wrapping container 101, only the mini-sheet piece105 may be folded “in a mountain fold” as shown in FIG. 15. On the otherhand, it may be a wrapping body 102, wherein the main part of theinterlabial pad 104 is folded toward the garment side in a valley foldand enclosed inside a wrapping container 101.

[0081] Additionally, the method of opening the wrapping container is notparticularly limited, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, it may be opened bycutting off the upper end of the wrapping container 101, or else, asshown in FIG. 16, it may be a wrapping container 111 that opens to bothsides from the upper end (in the method of the so called “doubledoors”).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0082] FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are drawings showing the composition of aninterlabial pad according to the present invention, FIG. 1(b) is a planview, and FIG. 1(a) is a cross-section of FIG. 1(b) along the line A-A′.

[0083]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the composition of aconventional interlabial pad.

[0084]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the composition of theinterlabial pad according to the present invention.

[0085]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a cross-section of theinterlabial pad according to the present invention.

[0086]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cross-section of theinterlabial pad according to the present invention.

[0087]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a cross-section of theinterlabial pad according to the present invention.

[0088]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cross-section of theinterlabial pad according to the present invention.

[0089] FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are drawings showing the composition of aninterlabial pad according to the present invention, FIG. 8(b) is a planview, and FIG. 8(a) is a cross-section of FIG. 8(b) along the line A-A′.

[0090]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a cross-section of theinterlabial pad according to the present invention..

[0091]FIG. 10 is a drawing showing the test condition of peelingstrength measurement of an adhesive.

[0092]FIG. 11 is a drawing showing the test condition of shear strengthmeasurement of the adhesive.

[0093]FIG. 12 is an explanatory drawing showing the difference of the“actual width” and the “appearance width” referred to in thisspecification.

[0094]FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a composition of a wrappingbody according to the present invention.

[0095]FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a composition of a wrappingbody according to the present invention.

[0096]FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a composition of a wrappingbody according to the present invention.

[0097]FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a composition of a wrappingbody according to the present invention.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0098] Preferable embodiments of the present invention are described byreferencing the drawings.

[0099] FIGS. 1(a) and (b) are drawings showing an interlabial padaccording to the present invention, FIG. 1(b) is a plan view, and FIG.1(a) is a cross-section of FIG. 1(b) along the line A-A′.

[0100] [(A)Basic Composition of the Interlabial Pad]

[0101] As shown in FIG. 1, a basic interlabial pad 14 according to thepresent invention (henceforth referred to simply as “pad”) is composedof a flat area 14 a and an protruded area 14 b. And, a water permeablesurface side sheet 11, facing the body side, a water permeable back faceside sheet 12, facing the garment side, and an absorbent body 13 areprovided, where the surface side sheet 11 and the back face side sheet12 are unified at a flange part 15 by heat embossing and/or hot meltbonding so as to enclose the absorbent body 13.

[0102] When bonding flange parts of the surface side sheet 11 and theback face side sheet 12, it is preferable to not include the absorbentbody 13. Because, if the absorbent body 13 is caught between the bondedparts, the pad 14 is hardened at the flange part 15 and foreign feelingand discomfort may occur during wearing. To surely prevent the absorbentbody 13 from being caught between said bonded parts, for example, thesurface side sheet 11 and the back face side sheet 12 are bonded to forma bag shape, leaving an opening at a part, and the absorbent body 13 ispacked into the bag part. Additionally, the absorbent body 13 can bedimensionally the same as the pad 14, but to surely prevent theabsorbent body 13 from being caught between said bonded parts, theabsorbent body 13 may be a little smaller than the pad 14 so that aclearance of 2-10 mm can be secured from the outer flange of the pad 14.

[0103] It is not limited to the specific whole form of the interlabialpad 14 and the form may be adequate to attach to labia. For example anelliptic type, ovoid, a gourd-shape or a drop-shape and the like will beeligible.

[0104] [Surface Side Sheet]

[0105] As the water permeable surface side sheet, sheet-shaped materialshaving a structure to permeate liquid, such as a woven fabric, anonwoven fabric and a porous plastic, can be used without any particularrestrictions. As woven and nonwoven fabrics, both natural and chemicalfabrics can be used. For natural fabrics, cellulose such as crushedpulp, cotton, can be named. For chemical fabrics, regenerated cellulose,such as rayon and fibril rayon, semisynthetic cellulose, such as acetateand triacetate, and hydrophilic-treated thermoplastic hydrophobic fiberscan be named. As said thermoplastic hydrophobic fibers, single fiber,such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylenetelephthalate (PET), graft-polymerized fibers of PE and PP, and compoundfibers with PP or PET cores and PE sheaths can be named.

[0106] Especially for nonwoven fabrics, web forming can be done by a drymethod (carding, spun bonding, melt-blown, air-laid and the like) or bythe wet method, either independently or in combination. Examples ofbonding methods are thermal bonding, needle punching and chemicalbonding, but not especially limited to these methods. Further, asheet-formed spun lace by the columnar water flow method is alsoavailable.

[0107] Examples of perforated plastic sheets used are an air sheet ofthermoplastic resin such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), andpolyethylene terephthalate (PET), and a perforated foamed material.Also, it is preferable to use it by making it milky by mixing a fillermade of titanium oxide, calcium carbonate and the like within the rangeof 0.5 to 10 weight % if necessary. A perforated film obtained byperforation, thermal embossing, machine processing or the like on athermoplastic film may also be used. Furthermore, a composite sheet ofthe perforated film and nonwoven fabric may also be used.

[0108] Among the materials, considering the liquid mobility from theinner face of the labia, chemical stimulation by an activator, andadhesion with the inner wall of the labia, it is preferable to laminaterayon with 1.1 to 4.4 dtex fineness and 7 to 51 mm fiber length by 40 to80% of a total specific weight per unit area on the body surface side,and to laminate a mixture of rayon with 1.1 to 4.4 dtex fineness and 7to 51 mm fiber length by 14 to 42% of a total specific weight per unitarea and PET with 1.1 to 4.4 dtex fineness and 7 to 51 mm fiber lengthby 6 to 18% of a total specific weight per unit area on the garment faceside. After laminating them so that the total specific weight per unitarea of the two layers becomes 20 to 60 g/m², the fibers are entangledby water-flow interlacing treatment and then dried to prepare spun lacenonwoven fabric with the thickness of 0.13 to 0.50 mm. The spun lacenonwoven prepared as described is preferable. At this time, by mixingPET on the garment side, bulkiness can be easily maintained even if thewater permeable sheet becomes wet. Therefore, adhesion between the innerwall of the labia can be maintained.

[0109] [Absorbent Body]

[0110] The absorbent body may be capable of keeping and absorbing aliquid (the menstrual blood) and preferably may be bulkiness, may not bedifficult to lose the shape and may be less chemical stimulation. Forthe material of the absorbent body, cellulose (ground pulp, cotton andthe like), a regenerated cellulose (a viscose rayon and a fibril rayonand the like), a semi synthetic cellulose (acetate and triacetate andthe like), a particle water-absorbent polymer, a fiber-typewater-absorbent polymer, a chemical fiber (a heat flexible hydrophobicchemical fiber which is treated in hydrophilic and the like), chemicalbonded air laid pulp and a hydrophobic resin can be used in single orcan be mixed.

[0111] Also, cellulose foam, a continuous foam and the like of syntheticresin can be also used as the absorbent body. Furthermore, an absorbentbody obtained by grinding and molding the above-described sheet and thefoam can be used.

[0112] It is preferable for the absorbent body, although any materialcan be used as long as it is capable of absorbing and holding liquid(body fluid), to be bulky, hard-to-be deformed, less chemicallystimulant, and highly flexible to fit into the labia. Specifically, anonwoven sheet in which, 50 to 150 g/m² of pulp selected from the rangeof the fiber length of 1 to 10 mm is laminated on the garment face sideand, on the body face side, 150 to 250 g/m² of a mixture obtained bymixing 60 to 90% of rayon with 1.1 to 4.4 dtex fineness and 20 to 51 mmfiber length with 40 to 10% of natural cotton by this mixing ratio islaminated, which then to be formed into a sheet by dotted embossing tohave 2 to 10 mm bulkiness, and more preferable to have 3 to 5 mmbulkiness. Thereby, liquid can be easily transmitted from the body faceside to the garment face side resulting in the improvement of theabsorbing and holding capacity. Furthermore, by providing a mesh spunlace nonwoven fabric of rayon with 1.1 to 4.4 dtex fineness and 25 to 51mm fiber length by a specific weight per unit area of 15 to 40 g/m², theliquid transmitted from the body face side can be dispersed by the meshspun lace to be induced to almost all over the region of the pulp layer.Therefore, more liquid can be effectively absorbed.

[0113] [Back Face Side Sheet]

[0114] In case of using the water permeability material for the backface side sheet, the same material, which is used for the surface sidesheet, is eligible. In this case, it prefers to use the pad togetherwith a sanitary napkin (a pad used together with the sanitary napkin).

[0115] Further if non-water permeability material is used for back faceside sheet, the menstrual blood, which is kept in the absorbent body, isprevented from a leak out of the interlabial pad. Furthermore the padcan be comprised of water vapor permeability material, thereby inwearing the pad, the sweat and the discomfort can be decreased.

[0116] When adopting an impermeable material, an impermeable film mainlymade of PE, PP or the like, a breathing resin film, and a material inwhich a breathing resin film is bonded to the back side of a nonwovenfabric such as a spun bond or spun lace on which water-repellentprocessing is performed can be used. When adopting an impermeablematerial, considering the degree of softness by which the wear feelingis not influenced, for example, a film obtained by a specific weight perunit area of 15 to 30 g/m² mainly using LDPE (low density polyethylene)may be used. It is more preferable to reduce the contact ratio todecrease the friction drag value by embossing the above-described filmto provide convex-shaped projections in order to, when the pad is wornbetween the labia, decrease the risk of the interlabial pad from beingfallen off from the labia due to the high friction caused by the contactbetween the water impermeable sheets, or with a pad used together, anunderwear or the like.

[0117] [Mini Sheet Piece]

[0118] A material used for the mini sheet piece is selected inconsideration of having an enough strength against a damage by theinserted finger, preferably it can be selected individually from onelaminated a sheet-typed nonwoven fabric, an elastic and expand nonwovenfabric, a film, a foam film, an elastic and expand film, a foam sheet, atissue paper and the like. A specific example is a film of 15 to 30 μmthickness having an LDPE resin as the main component.

[0119] Also, the mini sheet piece can be prepared to have the tone ofcolor, design, chroma which are different from those of the back sidesheet by coloring or printing a design or the like in order for thewearer to be able to easily discriminate the mini sheet piece.

[0120] In order to effectively use the interlabial pad according to thepresent invention, it is also effective to prepare the above-describedmini sheet piece to have a characteristic of stretching or elasticdilation in the lateral direction of the back side sheet regardless ofthe finger size of the wearer.

[0121] In order for the mini sheet piece to have a stretchingcharacteristic, a stretching spun bond nonwoven fabric can be used inwhich the stress is 0.1 to 0.5 N/25 mm at the time of 5% stretching whenbeing stretched at a constant speed by a stretching speed of 100m/minute with a grip interval of 100 mm. Also, in order for the minisheet piece to have an elastic dilation characteristic, a fiber sheet orfilm sheet using thermoplastic elastomer resin may be used. Also, theelastic dilation material such as the thermoplastic elastomer resin ornatural rubber may be used alone or may be combined with a non-elasticdilation material to be used.

[0122] [Adhesive Portion]

[0123] Examples of the manner in which the adhesive portion is appliedare in the form of whole surface application or in dots, mesh, or lines.The position of the adhesive portion is not specifically limited as longas it enables fixing of the pad to the body. However, specificallyconsidering the existence of the pubic hair in the area in front of thelabia, it is preferable to position the adhesive near both end sides ofthe interlabial pad in lines with about 1 to 5 mm width.

[0124] It is preferable to cover the part where the adhesive is appliedwith a sheet obtained by coating silicon resin on a tissue paper, whichis a generally obtainable separate paper, or a sheet obtained by coatingsilicon resin on a film. Thereby, damages or separation of the adhesivepart can be prevented while being stored.

[0125] An example of valuation method of the adhesive strength will bedescribed in detail. The valuation method is to measure the separationforce (FIG. 10) and the shearing force (FIG. 11) of the adhesive, usinga constant speed expansion tensile tester and a stainless plate 71having a length of 80 mm and a width 50 mm.

[0126] As a preparation for the evaluation test, a test piece of apolyethylene film 72, nearly the same in size with the stainless plate71, in which an adhesive 73 is applied within the range of 25 mm inwidth and 50 mm in length is left for 30 minutes at a room temperatureof 20° C. beforehand. Subsequently, the polyethylene film 72 is putlightly over a stainless plate 71 so as the adhesive 73 to come incontact with the stainless plate 71, and a 2 kg-roller is applied once(one way only). Then, it is left for 30 minutes at a room temperature of20° C.

[0127] In the separation strength test, a portion of the testpiece ofthe polyethylene film 72 prepared as above is separated by pulling inthe direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. 10, or in the direction ofthe arrow B, shown in FIG. 11, in the shear strength test. Testconditions are a chuck spacing (clamp spacing) of 70 mm and a pull speedof 100 mm/min.

[0128] In the case where the forces are measured by the measurementmethods described above, considering the burden imposed on the skin ofthe wearer, it is preferable that the measurement value of theseparation strength be 100 to 2000 mN/25 mm and that of the shearstrength be 2900 to 15000 mN/25 mm.

[0129] [(B) Structure of the Interlabial Pad Provided withBiodegradability, Water Dispersibility and Water Solubility]

[0130] Preferably, the interlabial pad of the present invention iscomposed of biodegradable material and/or water dispersible materialand/or water soluble material. Such an interlabial pad can be flushed byjust dropping into the toilet after use, allowing easy and sanitarydiscard of the interlabial pad, and also can aim to reduce wastes withinthe toilet.

[0131] In this Specification, “biodegradability” means that a substanceis decomposed into gas such as carbon dioxide or methane, water, andbiomass under anaerobic or aerobic condition according to the naturalprocess under the existence of bacteria represented by actinomycetes andother microbes, and also means that the biodegradability (biodegradablerate and biodegradable degree) of the substance equals to a materialnaturally generated such as fallen leaves or a synthetic polymergenerally recognized having the same biodegradability under the sameenvironment. “Water dispersibility” means the same as water solubility,where there is no effect from the limited amount of water (menstrualblood) upon use, whereas in conditions of large amounts of water orunder water flow, the fibers are easily dispersible into at least smallpieces which cannot clog the toilet plumbing. “Water solubility” meansthe property of not being affected by limited amount of water (menstrualblood) upon use, but being soluble in large amounts of water or under aflow of water.

[0132] [Surface Side Sheet]

[0133] Any of natural fiber and chemical fiber can be used for materialsof the water permeable surface side sheet to achieve biodegradability,water dispersibility and water-solubility.

[0134] For example of natural fiber, there are cellulose such as agrinding pulp and cotton and air laid pulp and the like which ischemically composed by water-soluble resin. For examples of chemicalfiber, there are regenerated cellulose such as rayon, fibril rayon,materials which is hydrophilic treated to the chemical fiber such as PE,PP, PET, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, moreover polylactic acidso-called biodegradable fiber, and polybutylenesuccinate and the like.Further water-soluble carboxymethylcellulose and polyvinyl alcohol areeligible for use. In these materials, it prefers to use biodegradablefiber that are cellulose such as a pulp and cotton, regeneratedcellulose such as rayon and the like and polylactic acid.

[0135] Materials described hereinbefore can be used independently or bemixed by forming a web or a nonwoven fabric. For web formingbiodegradable fabric such as polylactic acid or polybutylene succinateand the like, any of methods such as a dry method (card method, spunbond method, melt blown method, air laid method) and a wetting method,or a combination of a plurality of methods thereof is eligible. For amethod of bonding, a thermal bonding, a needle punch bonding, a chemicalbonding are eligible, however it is not limited to these method.

[0136] Further a spun lace formed in a sheet-shaped by a water flowconfounding is eligible.

[0137] For an example of a forming method of applying waterdispersibility, a method of producing a water dispersible paper whichthe fiber is formed in the sheet-shaped by a hydrogen bonding of fiberthemselves, a method of producing water dispersible paper which fibersare bonded each other into sheet-shaped by water soluble binder or amethod of producing water dispersible paper which fibers are confoundedinto sheet-shaped are eligible.

[0138] Preferably a length of fiber in a range from 2 to 51 mm, mostpreferably in a range from 2 to 10 mm can achieve a good ability ofwater dispersibility. Further in addition to water dispersibility,preferably fineness (thickness) of fibers is selected from a range of1.1 to 4.4 dtex for also having strength not to damage the pad in use.Especially in using rayon as a fiber, it prefers to select the fiberhaving fineness from 1.1 to 3.3 dtex. In case of fineness being lessthan the value described above, it is possible to achieve waterdispersibility, however in a dry condition, water dispersibility isextremely deteriorated by easily becoming fuzz or coming out of fuzzfrom fibers.

[0139] Preferably the amount of the surface side sheet is selected froma specific weight per unit area 20 to 60 g/m². Further it is requiredthat the breaking strength of the surface side sheet is 800 mN/25 mm atleast in both vertical and horizontal directions and preferably is from1000 to 7000 mN/25 mm in consideration of the softness in wearing thepad (the breaking strength of the sheet evaluated from the constantspeed extension by a speed testing 100 mm/min in a condition of a knobdistance 100 mm).

[0140] For further concrete structure of the surface side sheet, a wetforming spun lace nonwoven fabric is eligible, that a rayon having afineness of 1.1 to 4.4-dtex and a length from 5 to 10 mm and a wood pulpare mixed in a ratio from 90:10 to 70:30 by mass to adjust a specificweight per unit area 25 to 40 g/m², and the thickness from 0.2 to 0.5mm. In order to substantially improve the water permeability of themenstrual blood or to apply an good image of the menstrual bloodpermeability, a plurality of holes can be also provided on the sheet inconfiguration having a hole diameter from 0.5 to 1.5 mm and a rate ofhole area (a ratio of opening hole in respect of whole area) from 3 to20%.

[0141] [Absorbent Body]

[0142] Same materials having water permeability for the surface sidesheet can be used for materials of the absorbent body. Further it ispossible to independently use the absorbent body such as alginic acidsoda, starch, carboxymethylcelluloce and the like, particle-typed orfiber-typed super absorbent polymer, or to use a form by mixing thesematerials above described.

[0143] In respect of the structure of the absorbent body, the wood pulpand the like are eligible, that is laminated to a specific weight perunit area 150 to 500 g/m² to enclose into tissue and is adjusted thethickness from 2 to 10 mm by a press device. It is possible to improvethe absorption capacity or keeping ability of the menstrual blood bymixing absorbent body such as starch and the like in a ratio from 5 to30 g/m².

[0144] [Back Face Side Sheet]

[0145] Examples of the water impermeable material of the back face sidesheet are cellulose derivative such as methyl cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, water soluble polymer such aspolyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, sodium poly acrylate, polyacrylicether, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and a copolymer of isobutylene and maleicanhydride, or biodegradable polymer such as polylactic acid,polybutylene succinate, starch, and dextrin.

[0146] The materials may be used either alone or mixed with saidmaterials and formed into a film sheet. Furthermore, repellent such assilicone may be applied or mixed to the film sheet, or laminateprocessing may be applied to a nonwoven fabric formed with saidmaterials.

[0147] A specific example of the water impermeable back face side sheetis a film obtained by preparing polyvinyl alcohol with a specific weightper unit area of 20 to 50 g/m² and to which 0.5 to 5 μm silicone resinor fluorine resin is applied at least on either side and, morepreferably, on both sides.

[0148] [Mini Sheet Piece]

[0149] As the material used for the mini sheet piece, a film made ofpolyvinyl alcohol, a laminated material of a film made of polyvinylalcohol and a tissue paper, and the like, can be named.

[0150] [Bonding Method]

[0151] Also, as a bonding method to be applied to the present invention,a bonding method such as adhesion by polyvinyl alcohol and the likehaving a water soluble or water swelling performance, heat sealing, orbonding by hydrogen bonding, and the like, can be used eitherindividually or in combination, as appropriate.

Industrial Applicability

[0152] According to the present invention as described above, since aninterlabial pad is devised to provide an protruded area in a part of aflat area, having an absorbing function, and the ratio of the protrudedarea and the flat area is controlled accurately, even when the menstrualblood flows along a sloped face of the protruded area, the menstrualblood is absorbed surely by the absorbing function of the flat area, andthereby the danger of leaks due to the menstrual blood flowing outsidethe pad is reduced. Accordingly, even a high-speed, large-volumemenstrual blood, flowing down the body along inner labial walls, cansurely be absorbed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An interlabial pad for attaching between labia,comprising: a water permeable surface side sheet facing a body side; awater permeable or water impermeable back side sheet facing a garmentside; an absorbent body for absorbing body liquid, the absorbent bodybeing enclosed in the water permeable surface side and the waterpermeable or water impermeable back side, which are bonded together; aflat area having a substantially plane plate shape and a protruded areaprojecting vertically towards a body side from said flat area along asubstantial center line in a longitudinal direction of said flat area,wherein said flat area and said protruded area satisfy Formulas (1) to(3) shown below. 1≦H ₁ /H ₂≦10   Formula (1) ⅓≦W ₁ /W ₂≦⅚  Formula (2)⅓≦L ₁ /L ₂≦1   Formula (3) (where, H₁: the apparent bulkiness of theprotruded area, H₂: the apparent bulkiness of the flat area, W₁: theapparent maximum width of the protruded area, W₂: the apparent maximumwidth of the flat area, L₁: the apparent maximum length of the protrudedarea, and L₂: the apparent maximum length of the flat area.)
 2. Theinterlabial pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein H₁ in said Formula (1) is5 to 30 mm, W₁ in said Formula (2) is 2 to 30 mm, L₁ in said Formula (3)is 20 to 150 mm.
 3. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 1 or 2,wherein a first absorbent body is folded in a mountain fold and enclosedin said protruded area towards the body side, a hollow part is providedon the garment side of said protruded area.
 4. The interlabial pad asclaimed in claim 3, wherein a water permeable inner sheet is provided onthe garment side surface of said first absorbent body formed in a foldedshape, and said inner sheet and said surface side sheet are bonded so asto enclose said first absorbent body therebetween.
 5. The interlabialpad as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said first absorbent bodyenclosed in said protruded area and a second absorbent body enclosed insaid flat area are formed of a single absorbent body sheet.
 6. Theinterlabial pad as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising a secondprotruded area projecting vertically towards a garment side from saidflat area along the substantial center line in the longitudinaldirection of said flat area.
 7. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim6, wherein a third absorbent body is folded and enclosed in said secondprotruded area towards the garment side, a hollow part is provided inthe body side of said second protruded area.
 8. The interlabial pad asclaimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least fibers for forming said waterpermeable surface side sheet in said protruded area and that of saidfirst absorbent body are oriented in a lateral direction of saidinterlabial pad.
 9. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 1 or 2,wherein an adhesion part is provided on the body side surface of saidflat area.
 10. The interlabial pad as claimed in claim 1 or 2, whereinthe interlabial pad is used together with a sanitary napkin.
 11. Theinterlabial pad as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein: on the garment sideof said back side sheet, a mini sheet piece is provided bonding one ormore bonding areas in each side in the longitudinal direction of saidback side sheet and one or more unbonding areas in the lateral directionof said back side sheet; and at least one of said one or two unbondingareas, between said mini sheet piece and said back side sheet, forms afinger insertion opening which can directly secure a fingerbreadthopening in the surface direction of said back side sheet.
 12. Theinterlabial pad as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said interlabial padis a pad for incontinence of urine.
 13. The interlabial pad as claimedin claim 1 or 2, wherein said interlabial pad is an interlabial pad forabsorbing vaginal discharge.
 14. A wrapping body, comprising: aninterlabial pad as claimed in claim 1 or 2; and a wrapping container forindividually wrapping the interlabial pad wherein the interlabial pad isenclosed in the wrapping container.
 15. A wrapping body comprising: aninterlabial pad as claimed in claim 1 or 2 and a wrapping container,having a break seal opening, for individually wrapping the interlabialpad, wherein the interlabial pad is enclosed in the wrapping container;wherein said interlabial pad is wrapped in said wrapping container sothat a finger insertion opening opens towards said opening part.
 16. Thewrapping body as claimed in claim 15, wherein said interlabial pad isenclosed in said wrapping container so that said mini sheet piece isfolded towards the clothing direction along the substantial center linein the longitudinal direction of said interlabial pad.